COMPOSITION FOR LUGGAGE CASE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a composition comprising (A1) a heterophasic propylene copolymer, (A2) a post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer, (B) a propylene homopolymer and (C) a polyolefin-based elastomer. The composition of the present invention has a combination of good mechanical properties for luggage applications, and obtains good environmental benefits.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a composition comprising a post-consumer recycled propylene-based polymer, to a process for obtaining such composition and an article comprising such composition, in particular a luggage case.

[0002] Propylene-based polymers are used for many applications, including a luggage case. Propylene-based polymers can be a propylene homopolymer or a single-phase propylene copolymer or a heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0003] Luggage cases are subjected to relatively severe conditions during use, in particular larger luggage cases for check-in during flights. There are accordingly tests to determine whether luggage cases have sufficient properties for use, such as stress whitening resistance, gloss, impact strength and tensile properties.

[0004] EP3674363 discloses a luggage made of a polypropylene modified material comprising a homo-polypropylene 10-40wt%, polypropylene copolymer 35-60wt%, polyolefin elastomer 5-15wt%, polyethylene 10-20wt%, nucleating agent 0.03-0.08wt%, antioxidant 0.03-0.06wt%, and fluidity modifier 2-6wt%.

[0005] Virgin plastic is new, direct resin produced using natural gas or crude oil and without any recycled materials. On the other hand, post-consumer recycled (PCR) material refers to material that is made from items recycled by consumers. Usually, recyclable items such as plastics, metals and cardboards/paper are collected by the local recycling program and transported to facilities for sorting based on material type. Recycled bales will then be purchased and sent to different recyclers to be used for a variety of finished products. Using PCR content, namely recycled materials, for products such as luggage cases results in environmental benefits of carbon savings and resource efficiency. Also, it reduces the demand for virgin raw materials and improves the end-of-life of the materials. The inclusion of PCR into production supports the development of a circular economy.

[0006] The process for recycling polypropylene is known in the art, e.g. WO2012117250, US9670344 and WO2014040634. But the recycled polypropylene typically suffers from degradation of performances comparing to virgin polypropylene. One typical solution to this issue is diluting the recycled polypropylene in a virgin polypropylene to obtain a polypropylene blend, however the polypropylene blend also typically suffers from the degradation of the recycled polypropylene.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a composition having a combination of good mechanical properties for making luggage cases, while obtaining good environmental benefits, by using certain types and amounts of PCR material(s).

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition comprising:

(A1) a heterophasic propylene copolymer,

(A2) a post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer,

(B) a propylene homopolymer, and

(C) a polyolefin-based elastomer,

wherein

(A1) the heterophasic propylene copolymer has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, and

(A2) the post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, an ash content of 0.5 wt% to 3.5 wt% and a gloss as measured according to ASTM D2457 at 20° of 55 to 70.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the weight ratio of (A2):(A1) is 1 to 3.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, relative to the total weight of the composition,

the amount of (A1) is 20 to 30 wt%, preferably 23 to 27 wt%,

the amount of (A2) is 40 to 65 wt%, preferably 50 to 55 wt%,

the amount of (B) is 5 to 30 wt%, preferably 10 to 20 wt% and

the amount of (C) is 1 to 15 wt%, preferably 5-10 wt%.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, (A1) has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 10 to 40 g/10 min, more preferably 20 to 35 g/10 min.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, (A2) has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 10 to 40 g/10 min, more preferably 20 to 35 g/10 min.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, (A1) consists of (a1) a propylene-based matrix and (a2) a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, the amount of (a2) in (A1) is 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example at least 5.0 wt%, at least 10.0 wt%, or at least 15.0 wt%, and/or at most 35 wt%, at most 30 wt%, or at most 25 wt%.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, (A2) consists of (a1) a propylene-based matrix and (a2) a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, the amount of (a2) in (A2) is 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example at least 5.0 wt%, at least 10.0 wt%, or at least 15.0 wt%, and/or at most 35 wt%, at most 30 wt%, or at most 25 wt%.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the total amount of (a2) and (C) with respect to the total composition is 20 to 25 wt%.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the amount of ethylene monomer units in (a2) the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer of (A2) the post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer is 30 to 44 wt%, preferably 35 to 42wt%.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, (A2) has a Charpy impact strength as measured according to ISO 179 at 23 °C of 6.0 to 10.0 kJ/m², preferably 6.5 to 8.0 kJ/m².

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, (B) has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 25 to 100 dg/min, for example at least 30 dg/min, at least 40 dg/min, at least 45 dg/min or at least 50 dg/min, and/or for example at most 90 dg/min, at most 80 dg/min, at most 75 dg/min, at most 70 dg/min.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, (C) is a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin comonomer having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably being an ethylene-1-octene copolymer.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, (C) has a melt flow index measured according to ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at a temperature of 190 °C of 5 to 50 dg/min, preferably 10 to 45 dg/min, more preferably 15 to 40 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 35 dg/min.

[0021] In one aspect of the present invention, the composition has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 15 to 60 dg/min, preferably 20 to 50 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 40 dg/min.

[0022] The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the composition comprising melt mixing (A1), (A2), (B), (C) and optionally (D) additives.

[0023] The present invention also provides an article obtained by injection molding the composition of the present invention. The article is preferably a luggage case. Preferably, the luggage case has a capacity of 100 to 130 L, for example 105 to 120 L.

[0024] According to the present invention, a heterophasic propylene copolymer is mixed with a PCR heterophasic propylene copolymer, and further with a propylene homopolymer and a polyolefin-based elastomer, resulting in a composition with a combination of good mechanical properties for making luggage cases, such as good stress whitening resistance, gloss and impact strength, as well as achieving good environmental benefits.

(A1) heterophasic propylene copolymer

[0025] Heterophasic propylene copolymers are virgin materials generally prepared in one or more reactors, by polymerization of propylene in the presence of a catalyst and subsequent polymerization of an ethylene-α-olefin mixture. The resulting polymeric materials are heterophasic, but the specific morphology usually depends on the preparation method and monomer ratios used.

[0026] The heterophasic propylene copolymers employed in the present invention can be produced using any conventional technique known to the skilled person, for example multistage process polymerization, such as bulk polymerization, gas phase polymerization, slurry polymerization, solution polymerization or any combinations thereof. Any conventional catalyst systems, for example, Ziegler-Natta or metallocene may be used. Such techniques and catalysts are described, for example, in WO06/010414; Polypropylene and other Polyolefins , by Ser van der Ven, Studies in Polymer Science 7, Elsevier 1990; WO06/010414, US4399054 and US4472524.

[0027] Preferably, the heterophasic propylene copolymer is made using Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

[0028] The heterophasic propylene copolymer may be prepared by a process comprising

• polymerizing propylene and optionally ethylene and/or α-olefin in the presence of a catalyst system to obtain the propylene-based matrix and
• subsequently polymerizing ethylene and α-olefin in the propylene-based matrix in the presence of a catalyst system to obtain the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. These steps are preferably performed in different reactors. The catalyst systems for the first step and for the second step may be different or same.

[0029] The heterophasic propylene copolymer of the composition of the invention consists of a propylene-based matrix and a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. The propylene-based matrix typically forms the continuous phase in the heterophasic propylene copolymer. The amounts of the propylene-based matrix and the dispersed ethylene-a-olefin copolymer may be determined by ¹³C-NMR, as well known in the art.

[0030] The propylene-based matrix consists of a propylene homopolymer and/or a propylene copolymer consisting of at least 90 wt% of propylene monomer units and at most 10 wt% of comonomer units selected from ethylene monomer units and α-olefin monomer units having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, for example consisting of at least 95 wt% of propylene monomer units and at most 5 wt% of the comonomer units, based on the total weight of the propylene-based matrix.

[0031] Preferably, the comonomer in the propylene copolymer of the propylene-based matrix is selected from the group of ethylene, 1-butene, 1 -pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene, and is preferably ethylene.

[0032] Preferably, the propylene-based matrix consists of a propylene homopolymer. The fact that the propylene-based matrix consists of a propylene homopolymer is advantageous in that a higher stiffness is obtained compared to the case where the propylene-based matrix is a propylene-α-olefin copolymer.

[0033] The melt flow index (MFI) of the propylene-based matrix (before the heterophasic propylene copolymer is mixed into the composition of the invention), MFI_PP, may be for example at least 0.1 dg/min, at least 0.2 dg/min, at least 0.3 dg/min, at least 0.5 dg/min, and/or for example at most 20 dg/min, at most 10 dg/min, at most 5.0 dg/min, at most 3.0 dg/min, at most 1.0 dg/min, measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16 kg/230°C).

[0034] Preferably, the propylene-based matrix is present in an amount of 60 to 98 wt%, for example at most 97 wt%, at most 96 wt%, at most 95 wt%, at most 93 wt% or at most 91 wt%, based on the total heterophasic propylene copolymer. Preferably, the propylene-based matrix is present in an amount of at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 75 wt%, for example at least 80 wt%, at least 85 wt%, at least 87 wt% or at least 90 wt%, based on the total heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0035] The propylene-based matrix is preferably semi-crystalline, that is it is not 100% amorphous, nor is it 100% crystalline. For example, the propylene-based matrix is at least 40% crystalline, for example at least 50%, for example at least 60% crystalline and/or for example at most 80% crystalline, for example at most 70% crystalline. For example, the propylene-based matrix has a crystallinity of 60 to 70%. For purpose of the invention, the degree of crystallinity of the propylene-based matrix is measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ISO11357-1 and ISO11357-3 of 1997, using a scan rate of 10°C/min, a sample of 5mg and the second heating curve using as a theoretical standard for a 100% crystalline material 207.1 J/g.

[0036] Besides the propylene-based matrix, the heterophasic propylene copolymer also comprises a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. The dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is also referred to herein as the 'dispersed phase'. The dispersed phase is embedded in the heterophasic propylene copolymer in a discontinuous form. The particle size of the dispersed phase is typically in the range of 0.05 to 2.0 microns, as may be determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

[0037] The amount of the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in the heterophasic propylene copolymer may herein be sometimes referred as RC. Preferably, RC is 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example at least 5.0 wt%, at least 10.0 wt%, or at least 15.0 wt%, and/or at most 35 wt%, at most 30 wt%, or at most 25 wt%, such as 18 wt%, 20 wt% or 22 wt%.

[0038] The amount of ethylene monomer units in the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in the heterophasic propylene copolymer may herein be sometimes referred as RCC2. Preferably, RCC2 is 30 to 70 wt%, for example at least 35 wt%, at least 40 wt%, or at least 45 wt%, and/or at most 65 wt%, at most 60 wt%, or at most 55 wt%, such as 48 wt%, 50 wt% or 52 wt%.

[0039] The α-olefin in the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is preferably chosen from the group of α-olefins having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable α-olefins having 3 to 8 carbon atoms include but are not limited to propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexen, 1-heptene and 1-octene. More preferably, the α-olefin in the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is chosen from the group of α-olefins having 3 to 4 carbon atoms and any mixture thereof, more preferably the α-olefin is propylene, in which case the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is ethylene-propylene copolymer.

[0040] The MFI of the dispersed ethylene α-olefin copolymer (before the heterophasic propylene copolymer is mixed into the composition of the invention), MFlrubber, may be for example at least 0.001 dg/min, at least 0.03 dg/min or at least 0.05 dg/min, and/or for example at most 0.1 dg/min or 0.01 dg/min. MFIrubber is calculated according to the following formula:

wherein MFlheterophasic is the MFI (dg/min) of the heterophasic propylene copolymer measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16kg/230°C), MFlmatrix is the MFI (dg/min) of the propylene-based matrix measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16kg/230°C), matrix content is the fraction of the propylene-based matrix in the heterophasic propylene copolymer, rubber content is the fraction of the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in the heterophasic propylene copolymer. The sum of the matrix content and the rubber content is 1. For the avoidance of any doubt, Log in the formula means log₁₀.

[0041] In the heterophasic propylene copolymer in the composition of the invention, the sum of the total weight of the propylene-based matrix and the total weight of the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is 100 wt% of the heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0042] Preferably, the heterophasic propylene copolymer has a fraction soluble in p-xylene at 25°C (CXS) measured according to ISO 16152:2005 of 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example 9.0 to 25 wt%.

[0043] Preferably, the amount of ethylene monomer units in the heterophasic propylene copolymer (sometimes referred as TC2, TC2=RC*RCC2) is in the range of 5.0 to 20 wt%, for example 8.0 to 15 wt%, based on the heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0044] Preferably, the MFI of the heterophasic propylene copolymer is 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, for example at least 10 dg/min, at least 15 dg/min, at least 20 dg/min and/or at most 45 dg/min, at most 40 dg/min or at most 35 dg/min, measured according to ISO1133-1 :2011 (230°C /2.16 kg). This leads in particular to the good processability of the composition according to the invention.

[0045] Preferably, in the heterophasic propylene copolymer according to the invention, the comonomer in the propylene-α-olefin copolymer is selected from ethylene and the group of α-olefins having 4 to10 carbon atoms and the α-olefin in the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is selected from the group of α-olefins having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Most preferably, in the heterophasic propylene copolymer according to the invention, the comonomer in the propylene-α-olefin copolymer is ethylene and the α-olefin in the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is propylene.

[0046] Preferably, the amount of (A1) the heterophasic propylene copolymer with respect to the composition of the invention is 20 to 30 wt%, preferably 23 to 27 wt%, such as 25 wt% or 26 wt%.

(A2) Post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer

[0047] The recycled material used in the present invention is obtained by processing a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer waste by known methods involving e.g. washing, sorting and/or grinding. In particular, the recycled material used in the present invention is a post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0048] The post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer of the present invention consists of a propylene-based matrix and a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. Generally speaking, the post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer (PCR HECO) has similar properties as the virgin heterophasic propylene copolymer described above, with one of the substantive differences being the presence of certain amounts of ash contents.

[0049] The propylene-based matrix consists of a propylene homopolymer and/or a propylene copolymer consisting of at least 90 wt% of propylene monomer units and at most 10 wt% of comonomer units selected from ethylene monomer units and α-olefin monomer units having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, for example consisting of at least 95 wt% of propylene monomer units and at most 5 wt% of the comonomer units, based on the total weight of the propylene-based matrix.

[0050] Preferably, the comonomer in the propylene copolymer of the propylene-based matrix is selected from the group of ethylene, 1-butene, 1 -pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene, and is preferably ethylene.

[0051] Preferably, the propylene-based matrix consists of a propylene homopolymer.

[0052] The PCR HECO has an ash content as determined by ISO 3451 of 0.5 wt% to 3.5 wt%, preferably at least 0.8 wt%, or at least 1.0wt%, and at most 3.0wt% or at most 2.5 wt%, such as 1.2 wt% or 1.5 wt%.

[0053] Preferably, the MFI of the PCR HECO is 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, for example at least 10 dg/min, at least 15 dg/min, at least 20 dg/min and/or at most 45 dg/min, at most 40 dg/min or at most 35 dg/min, measured according to ISO1133-1 :2011 (230°C /2.16 kg).

[0054] Preferably, RC of the PCR HECO is 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example at least 5.0 wt%, at least 10.0 wt%, or at least 15.0 wt%, and/or at most 35 wt%, at most 30 wt%, or at most 25 wt%, such as 18 wt%, 20 wt% or 22 wt%.

[0055] Preferably, RCC2 of the PCR HECO is 30 to 44 wt%, preferably 35 to 42wt%, such as 38 wt% or 40 wt%.

[0056] Preferably, the PCR HECO has a Charpy impact strength as measured according to ISO 179 at 23 °C of 6.0 to 10.0 kJ/m², preferably 6.5 to 8.0 kJ/m², such 6.8 or 7.0 kJ/m².

[0057] Preferably, the amount of the PCR HECO with respect to the composition of the invention is 40 to 65 wt%, preferably 50 to 55 wt%, such as 52 wt% or 54 wt%.

[0058] Preferably, the amount of the PCR HECO is 1 to 3 times of that of the heterophasic propylene copolymer, i.e., the weight ratio of (A2):(A1) is 1 to 3, such as 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5.

(B) Propylene homopolymer

[0059] The composition of the invention comprises (B) a propylene homopolymer. Preferably, (B) has a melt flow index (MFI) measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16 kg/230°C) which is higher than the melt flow index (MFI) measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16 kg/230°C) of (A1). This leads in particular to the good processability of the composition according to the invention.

[0060] The propylene homopolymer may have a melt flow index (MFI) measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 (2.16 kg/230°C) of 25 to 100 dg/min, for example at least 30 dg/min, at least 40 dg/min, at least 45 dg/min or at least 50 dg/min, and/or for example at most 90 dg/min, at most 80 dg/min, at most 75 dg/min, at most 70 dg/min.

[0061] Preferably, the amount of (B) the propylene homopolymer with respect to the composition of the invention is 5 to 30 wt%, preferably 10 to 20 wt%.

(C) polyolefin-based elastomer

[0062] The composition of the invention comprises a polyolefin-based elastomer. Preferably, the polyolefin-based elastomer is a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin comonomer having 4 to 10 carbon atoms. The use of such ethylene copolymer leads to a better flexural modulus of the composition according to the invention than the use of an ethylene-propylene copolymer as the polyolefin-based elastomer.

[0063] The α-olefin comonomer in the elastomer preferably has 4 to 8 carbon atoms and is preferably an acyclic monoolefin such as 1-butene, 1 - pentene, 1 -hexene, 1 -octene, or 4-methyl-1-pentene. Most preferably, the elastomer is an ethylene-1-octene copolymer.

[0064] Preferably, the elastomer has a density of 0.850 to 0.890 g/cm³. Preferably, the density of the first elastomer is 0.855 to 0.880 g/cm³, 0.860 to 0.870 g/cm³ or 0.865 to 0.870 g/cm³.

[0065] The elastomers may be prepared using methods known in the art, for example by using a single site catalyst, i.e., a catalyst the transition metal components of which is an organometallic compound and at least one ligand of which has a cyclopentadienyl anion structure through which such ligand bondingly coordinates to the transition metal cation. This type of catalyst is also known as "metallocene" catalyst. Metallocene catalysts are for example described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,017,714 and 5,324,820. The elastomers may also be prepared using traditional types of heterogeneous multi-sited Ziegler-Natta catalysts.

[0066] The elastomer has a melt flow index measured according to ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at a temperature of 190 °C of 5 to 50 dg/min, preferably 10 to 45 dg/min, more preferably 15 to 40 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 35 dg/min. This leads to a combination of good mechanical properties for making luggage cases, such as good stress whitening resistance, gloss, impact strength and tensile properties.

[0067] Preferably, the amount of (C) the elastomer with respect to the composition of the invention is 1 to 15 wt%, 2 to 13 wt%, 3 to 11 wt% or 5 to 10 wt%. This leads to the suitable total rubber amount to achieve good mechanical properties of the composition according to the invention together with the dispersed phase of the heterophasic propylene copolymer.

[0068] The total amount of (a2) (including both (a2) in (A1) and (a2) in (A2)) and (C) with respect to the total composition is 20.0 to 25.0 wt%, such as 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt% or 24 wt%.

(D) Additives

[0069] The composition according to the invention may optionally comprise additives. The additives may include nucleating agents, stabilizers, e.g. heat stabilizers, anti-oxidants, UV stabilizers; colorants, like pigments and dyes; clarifiers; surface tension modifiers; lubricants; flame-retardants; mould-release agents; flow improving agents; plasticizers; anti-static agents; blowing agents.

[0070] The skilled person can readily select any suitable combination of additives and additive amounts without undue experimentation. The amount of the additives depends on their type and function and typically is of from 0 to about 10 wt%. The amount of the additives may e.g. be from about 0.1 to about 5 wt%; from about 1 to about 4 wt% or from 1 .5 to about 3 wt% based on the total composition. The total amount of (A), (B), (C) and (D) should add up to 100% by weight. Preferably, the total of components (A), (B) and (C) is at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 97 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.5 wt%, at least 99.9 wt% or 100 wt% of the total composition.

Composition

[0071] The composition has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 15 to 60 dg/min, preferably 20 to 50 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 40 dg/min.

Further aspects

[0072] The composition of the invention may be obtained by a process comprising melt-mixing (A1), (A2), (B), (C) and optionally (D) by using any suitable means. Accordingly, the invention further relates to a process for the preparation of the composition according to the invention comprising melt mixing (A1), (A2), (B), (C) and optionally (D).

[0073] Preferably, the composition of the invention is made in a form that allows easy processing into a shaped article in a subsequent step, like in pellet or granular form. The composition can be a mixture of different particles or pellets; like a blend of (A1), (A2), (B), (C) and a masterbatch of additives. Preferably, the composition of the invention is in pellet or granular form as obtained by mixing all components in an apparatus like an extruder; the advantage being a composition with homogeneous and well-defined concentrations of the additives.

[0074] Melt-mixing may be done using techniques known to the skilled person, for example in an extruder. Generally, in the process of the invention, melt-mixing is performed at a temperature in the range of 200 to 260°C.

[0075] Suitable conditions for melt-mixing, such as temperature, pressure, amount of shear, screw speed and screw design when an extruder is used are known to the skilled person.

[0076] The composition according to the invention may be processed by known processing methods, in particular injection molding.

[0077] The invention further relates to an article comprising the composition according to the invention, in particular a luggage case. In particular, the invention relates to an injection molded article comprising or made from the composition according to the invention, in particular a luggage case.

[0078] In particular, the invention relates to an injection molded article comprising or made from the composition according to the invention, in particular a luggage case having a capacity of 100 to 130 L, for example 105 to 120 L.

[0079] It is noted that the invention relates to the subject-matter defined in the independent claims alone or in combination with any possible combinations of features described herein, preferred in particular are those combinations of features that are present in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that all combinations of features relating to the composition according to the invention; all combinations of features relating to the process according to the invention and all combinations of features relating to the composition according to the invention and features relating to the process according to the invention are described herein.

[0080] It is further noted that the term 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements. However, it is also to be understood that a description on a product/composition comprising certain components also discloses a product/composition consisting of these components. The product/composition consisting of these components may be advantageous in that it offers a simpler, more economical process for the preparation of the product/composition. Similarly, it is also to be understood that a description on a process comprising certain steps also discloses a process consisting of these steps. The process consisting of these steps may be advantageous in that it offers a simpler, more economical process.

[0081] When values are mentioned for a lower limit and an upper limit for a parameter, ranges made by the combinations of the values of the lower limit and the values of the upper limit are also understood to be disclosed.

[0082] The invention is now elucidated by way of the following examples, without however being limited thereto.

Materials

[0083] ICP1: heterophasic propylene copolymer consisting of a matrix of propylene homopolymer and 22.3 wt% of a dispersed phase of ethylene-propylene copolymer (RC) having an ethylene content of 11 wt% (TC2). MFI 29 dg/min (ISO1 133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C).

[0084] ICP2: heterophasic propylene copolymer consisting of a matrix of propylene homopolymer and 22.3 wt% of a dispersed phase of ethylene-propylene copolymer (RC) having an ethylene content of 11 wt% (TC2). MFI 3.5 dg/min (ISO1 133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C).

[0085] PCRs: Post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymers consisting of a matrix of propylene homopolymer and a dispersed phase of ethylene-propylene copolymer, with the following physical parameters:

	RC	RCC2	ASH	MFI	Charpy at 23°	Gloss at 20°
PCR1	17	40	1.2	28	6.8	65
PCR2	15	45	1.5	31	5.8	49
PCR3	15	45	4.6	35	4.3	38

homoPP1: propylene homopolymer having MFI 60 dg/min (ISO1 133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C)

homoPP2: propylene homopolymer having MFI 12 dg/min (ISO1 133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C)

homoPP3: propylene homopolymer having MFI 3.1 dg/min (ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C)

HDPE1: high density polyethylene having MFI of 20 dg/min (ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg at 190 °C) and density at 23 °C of 0.956 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505)

POE1: copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene, having MFI of 30.0 dg/min (ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at 190 °C) and density of 0.868 g/cm3 (ASTM D792)

POE2: copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene, having MFI of 5.0 dg/min (ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at 190 °C) and density of 0.868 g/cm3 (ASTM D792)

POE3: copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene, having MFI of 1.0 dg/min (ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at 190 °C) and density of 0.868 g/cm3 (ASTM D792)

[0086] The components as shown in Tables 1-3 were melt-mixed to obtain compositions with properties measured as follows and shown in the tables.

MFI (dg/min): ISO 1133 (2.16 kg, 230 °C)

Charpy impact strength (kJ/m²): ISO 179 at 23 °C, 0 °C and -20 °C

Tensile modulus (MPa), tensile strength at yield (MPa), tensile strength at break (MPa) and tensile elongation at break (%): ISO 527

Flexural modulus (MPa) and flexural strength (MPa): ISO 178

Ash content: ISO 3451

[0087] Mould shrinkage (%), in the context of this invention called shrinkage, is the amount of contraction that a moulded part undergoes when it is removed from the mould cavity and cooled at room temperature. Shrinkage was measured according to ISO 294-4 on 65 x 65 x 3.2 mm injection moulded plaques after a conditioning time of 24 h after moulding at room temperature (23 °C) and 50 % relative humidity. Each of the samples was moulded using the same conditions at the moulding
machine. Shrinkage measured in the flow length and perpendicular to the flow is reported here. Following equation was used to determine shrinkage:

wherein L_m is the length of the mould in the considered direction, and L_s is the length of the specimen in considered direction. A shrinkage in the flow direction (marked as "shrinkage //") and a shrinkage in the perpendicular direction (marked as "shrinkage L") to flow direction are reported.

Gloss: ASTM D2457 at 20° and 60 °

Stress whitening:

[0088] Stress whitening is the appearance of a white area on an object when the object is stressed after a blushing operation. The appearance of the white area indicates that there is an onset of failure of the corresponding material. The blushing on the samples was created according to PV3905, by dropping a solid stainless steel ball (0 (50.0 ± 0.03) mm) of 500 (± 5) grams from a height of 230 mm on a test piece with dimension 100*100*2mm injected on the machine SE180. Photos of these test pieces were taken with a scanner (EPSON, V850 Pro) under the professional mode. For the scanning parameters, positive film was selected for the film type, image type was b-bit grayscale, resolution was 800 dpi, and the document size was 2.5 * 2.5 inch. In addition, no histogram adjustment was employed during the scanning process.

[0089] The image analysis is performed at MATLAB 2020a platform in order to determine values of the parameter "spot size" (area)

[0090] The spot size (area) was determined as follows:
The total whiteness of the whole photo is calculated as the sum of the whiteness of each pixel in the whole photo. The whiteness of the intrinsic material is defined as 0. Each pixel constituting the sample has a whiteness of 0-255. The spot size is defined as the size of the area which has 100% of the whiteness of the whole photo.

Integrated Intensity:

[0091] An integrated intensity with regard of the area Σl × Δx × Δy. The intensity has been normalized via subtracting the median intensity of the surroundings.

[0092] The compositions were injection molded at 210 °C into a luggage case having dimensions of 76 cm x 51 cm x 32 cm according to QBT 2155-2010 and its properties were measured as follows and are shown in Tables 1-3.

[0093] Up/Down test: QBT 2922-2007 (Case and bag - Test method for shaking impact). Indicated as pass when there is no unacceptable damage after 2000 times.

[0094] Rolling test: QBT 4116-2010 (Case and bag. Test method for rotary drum). Indicated as pass when there is no unacceptable stress whitening.

[0095] Gloss: visual inspection, determined as pass if a high gloss is observed.

[0096] Drop ball impact: QBT 2921-2007 (Case and bag. Test method for fall down), tested at -12 °C, 6h. Indicated as pass if no crack detected.

[0097] Drop test: QBT 2918-2007-T (Case and bag - Test method for impact resistance by means of falling weight), Indicated as pass if no crack detected.

Table 1

	CEx A	CEx B	Ex 1	CExC	CEx D	CEx E
ICP1 - MFI 29	79	79	79	79	79
ICP2 - MFI 3.5						79
homoPP1 - MFI 60	14	14	14			14
homoPP2 - MFI 12					14
homoPP3 - MFI 3				14
POE1 - MFI 30			7	7	7	7
POE2 - MFI 5		7
POE3- MFI 1	7
Rubber total*	24.6	24.6	24.6	24.6	24.6	24.6
MFI @ 2.16 kg @230°C	32.87	35.5	34.81	25.47	28.8	10.37
Charpy @ 23	10	11.2	10.8	10.5	10.5	49.5
Charpy @ 0	6.4	6.5	6.6	6.2	6.3	9
Charpy @ -20	4.5	4.5	4.6	4.4	4.4	6.5
Tensile modulus	1113.4	1096.8	1091.8	1132.3	1117.4	1099
Tensile strength @ Yield	22.2	22.2	21.9	22.8	22.3	22.1
Tensile strength @ break	15.3	15.1	15	16.1	15.2	17.8
Tensile elongation at break	44.68	51.87	61.37	80.02	46.54	300.16
Flexural modulus	1151.2	1185.2	1136.4	1207.2	1211	1214.8
Flexural strength	30.74	31.38	30.26	31.6	31.72	31.62
Shrinkage //	1.12	1.08	1.1	1.16	1.12	1.42
Shrinkage L	1.38	1.35	1.34	1.48	1.43	1.58
Gloss @ 20	52.56	55.18	59.1	55.4	61.02	34.78
Gloss @ 60	62.8	64.76	67.86	68.52	69.64	52.28
Stress whitening intensity	240	205	195	210	235
Up/Down test	Pass	Pass	Pass
Rolling test	Stress whitenin 9	Pass	Pass
Gloss	Medium gloss	close to pass	Pass-high gloss
Drop ball impact	Fail	Pass	Pass
Drop test	Pass	Pass	Pass

*Rubber total is the sum of the dispersed phase in ICP and POE in wt%.

[0098] The composition of Ex 1 shows a combination of good impact strength, tensile properties, flexural properties, shrinkage, gloss and stress whitening property, and a luggage case made from the composition of Ex 1 passed all relevant tests for a luggage case.

[0099] The composition of CEx E could not be injection molded into a luggage case having the specified dimensions at a temperature of 210 °C. It can thus be understood that the low MFI of the total composition leads to difficulty in injection molding. Further, as can also be understood from CEx C and D, it leads to a bad stress whitening property.

[0100] From the comparison of Ex 1 versus CEx A and CEx B, it can be understood that the use of the elastomer having a high MFI according to the invention leads to a better gloss and a better stress whitening property.

[0101] From the comparison of Ex 1 versus CEx C and CEx D and, it can be understood that the use of the homopolymer having a high MFI according to the invention leads to a better stress whitening property.

Table 2

	CEx F	CEx G	CEx H	CEx I	CEx J
ICP1 - MFI 29	84	86	88	90	90
HDPE1	7	7	7	7	7
POE1 - MFI 30					3
POE3 - MFI 1	9	7	5	3
Rubber total*	27.8	26.2	24.7	23.1	23.1
MFI @ 2.16 kg @230°C	30.73	27.68	31.05	31.29	31.58
Charpy @ 23	52.8	50.3	47.7	16.9	14.8
Charpy @ 0	11.3	10.6	9.1	8	8.7
Charpy @ -20	8.2	7.8	6.7	6	5.6
Tensile modulus	846.9	890.5	975.1	1002	997.7
Tensile strength @ Yield	17.8	19.5	20.5	21	20.8
Tensile strength @ break	13.5	13.5	14.7	14.9	14.9
Tensile elongation at break	52.99	40.05	35.28	33.97	41.05
Flexural modulus	966.7	974.13	1016.4	1047.6	1176.4
Flexural strength	25.38	25.37	26.72	27.66	30.06
Shrinkage //	1.06	1.09	1.12	1.15	1.17
Shrinkage L	1.35	1.4	1.43	1.45	1.45
Gloss @ 20	19.58	42.24	46.86	45.6	45.78
Gloss @ 60	30.56	50.72	54.08	52.76	56.48
Stress whitening internal	256	245	230	220	230
Up/Down test	Fail (~150)	Fail (handle 1=727, handle 2=1841)	Fail (handle 1=1427, handle 2=2041)	Pass	Pass
Rolling test	Obvious stress whitening	Obvious stress whitening	Obvious stress whitening	Obvious stress whitening	Stress whitening
Gloss	Low gloss	Low gloss	Low gloss	Low gloss	Low gloss
Drop ball impact	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
Drop test	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass

*Rubber total is the sum of the dispersed phase in ICP and POE in wt%

[0102] The compositions shown in Table 2 made using an HDPE instead of a propylene homopolymer do not show satisfactory stress whitening properties. The gloss properties are also not satisfactory.

[0103] From the comparison of CEx F, CEx G, CEx H and CEx I, it can be understood that when the total rubber amount is too high, the tensile modulus and tensile strength become too low and the luggage case made from the composition does not pass the up/down test and the rolling test and has low gloss.

[0104] The difference between the MFI of the composition CEx J and Ex 1 is small, but the composition of Ex 1 has a much better stress whitening property and gloss property. This may be attributed to the higher total rubber amount in the composition of Ex 1.

Table 3

	Ex1	CEx K	Ex 2	Ex 3	CEx L	CEx M
PCR1		79	53	53
PCR2					53
PCR3						53
ICP1 - MFI 29	79		26	26	26	26
homoPP1 - MFI 60	14	14	14	14	14	14
POE1 - MFI 30	7	7	7
POE2 - MFI 5				7	7	7
Rubber total*	24.6	20.4	21.8	21.8	20.7	20.7
MFI @ 2.16 kg @230°C	34.81	25.22	26.8	25.7	26.8	29.5
Charpy @ RT	10.8	5.9	9.5	9.8	7.5	5.6
Charpy @ 0	6.6	3.5	5.8	5.9	4.1	3.2
Charpy @ -20	4.6	2.5	4.2	4.5	3.2	2.3
Tensile modulus	1091.8	1297.5	1150.2	1179.4	1105.2	1080
Tensile strength @ Yield	21.9	24.3	22.8	22.6	21.8	20.9
Tensile strength @ break	15	14.9	15.4	15.5	14.1	14.3
Tensile elongation at break	61.37	31.1	41.71	41.71	32.5	33.5
Flexural modulus	1136.4	1284	1213.4	1209.33	1108	1090
Flexural strength	30.26	34.16	31.9	31.73	30.5	30.9
Shrinkage //	1.1	1.1	1.12	1.1	1.1	1.09
Shrinkage L	1.34	1.31	1.23	1.21	1.29	1.32
Gloss @ 20	59.1	69.37	69	67.84	53	44.2
Gloss @ 60	67.86	78.08	79.9	78.74	62.9	55.3
Stress whitening internal	195	175	155	155	210	238
Up/Down test	Pass	Fail (handle 1=1320, handle 2= 1900)	Pass	Pass	Fail (handle 1=1620, handle 2= 1600)	Fail (handle 1=1087, handle 2=1315)
Rolling test	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Stress whitenin g	Obvious stress whitenin g
Gloss	Pass-high gloss	Pass-excellen t gloss	Pass-excellen t gloss	Pass-excellen t gloss	middle gloss	low gloss
Drop ball impact	Pass	Fail	Pass	Pass	Fail	Fail
Drop test	Pass	Fail	Pass	Pass	Pass	Fail

*Rubber total is the sum of the dispersed phase in ICP, PCR and POE in wt%.

[0105] From the comparison of Ex1 and CEx K, it can be understood that a complete replacement of ICP1 with PCR1 results in obviously lower impact strength, and failures in Up/down test, drop ball impact test and drop test, which are crucial to luggage application. However, by combining ICP1 and PCR1 together at a roughly 1:2 ratio in Ex2 and Ex3, compositions with comparable physical properties and passing all the crucial tests, with even higher gloss performance, in comparison with Ex1, can be obtained. Certainly environmental benefits have been achieved in Ex 2 and Ex 3 by using a substantial amounts of PCR materials. As can be seen from CEx L and CEx M, not all types of PCR materials, although with similar RC, RCC2 and MFI parameters, meet the requirements for the application in luggage cases.

Claims

1. A composition comprising

(A1) a heterophasic propylene copolymer,

(A2) a post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer,

(B) a propylene homopolymer, and

(C) a polyolefin-based elastomer,

wherein

(A1) the heterophasic propylene copolymer has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, and

(A2) the post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 5.0 to 50 g/10 min, an ash content as measured according to ISO 3451 of 0.5 wt% to 3.5 wt% and a gloss as measured according to ASTM D2457 at 20° of 55 to 70.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein, the weight ratio of (A2):(A1) is 1 to 3.

3. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, relative to

the total weight of the composition,

the amount of (A1) is 20 to 30 wt%, preferably 23 to 27 wt%,

the amount of (A2) is 40 to 65 wt%, preferably 50 to 55 wt%,

the amount of (B) is 5 to 30 wt%, preferably 10 to 20 wt% and

the amount of (C) is 1 to 15 wt%, preferably 5-10 wt%.

4. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein (A1) and (A2) respectively has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 10 to 40 g/10 min, more preferably 20 to 35 g/10 min.

5. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein (A1) and (A2) respectively consists of (a1) a propylene-based matrix and (a2) a dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, the amount of (a2) in (A1) and (A2) respectively is 2.0 to 40 wt%, for example at least 5.0 wt%, at least 10.0 wt%, or at least 15.0 wt%, and/or at most 35 wt%, at most 30 wt%, or at most 25 wt%.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the total amount of (a2) and (C) with respect to the total composition is 20 to 25 wt%.

7. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the amount of ethylene monomer units in (a2) the dispersed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer of (A2) the post-consumer recycled heterophasic propylene copolymer is 30 to 44 wt%, preferably 35 to 42wt%.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein (A2) has a Charpy impact strength as measured according to ISO 179 at 23 °C of 6.0 to 10.0 kJ/m², preferably 6.5 to 8.0 kJ/m².

9. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein (B) has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 25 to 100 dg/min, for example at least 30 dg/min, at least 40 dg/min, at least 45 dg/min or at least 50 dg/min, and/or for example at most 90 dg/min, at most 80 dg/min, at most 75 dg/min, at most 70 dg/min.

10. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein (C) is a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefincomonomer having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably being an ethylene-1-octene copolymer.

11. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein (C) has a melt flow index measured according to ASTM D1238 with a 2.16 kg load and at a temperature of 190 °C of 5 to 50 dg/min, preferably 10 to 45 dg/min, more preferably 15 to 40 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 35 dg/min.

12. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a melt flow index as measured according to ISO1133-1:2011 with a 2.16kg load at 230°C of 15 to 60 dg/min, preferably 20 to 50 dg/min, more preferably 25 to 40 dg/min.

13. A process for the preparation of the composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising melt mixing (A1), (A2), (B), (C) and optionally (D) additives.

14. An article obtained by injection molding the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, preferably being a luggage case.

15. The article according to claim 14 which is a luggage case having a capacity of 100 to 130 L, for example 105 to 120 L.